Note: This is what is happening, but I did also write this kind of tongue in cheek, ie reference to the apocalypse. While my dad would definitely qualify as a “prepper” – we as a family laugh and have a good time around the things he saves…in abundance. It’s just a side to caretaking and aging parents that I hadn’t considered.
My dad truly believes the apocalypse can be survived with enough plastic containers from fast food restaurants. “That may come in handy” is his most repeated motto, especially for takeout containers, juice jugs, and paper bags. And believe, I’ve learned to check with him before I dispose of almost everything. (He will correct me if he discovers it in the recycling bin or trash can. Kindly, but definitely corrected.)
After my first two months here, the cabinets were full, the countertops overflowing, and preparation and cooking space became a challenge. I had to start doing something about it.
My goal isn’t to erase my parent’s history or habits; it’s to keep the home they love livable and safe…and to stop the quiet money leaks clutter creates. And not have SO MUCH to dust and clean and organize…goodness! And thankfully, my siblings have been singing the same tune, but I am in a position to actually do something about it.
The Win-Win Framework
Together we established a number that we agreed to keep, creating one small, contained “Just-In-Case” prep zone while clearing the overflow that drives me and my siblings crazy. Now all his extra yogurt containers have their own cabinet. The take out containers are limited to one shelf in the cabinets.
Dad gets together with a group of men a couple of times a week for Bible study and breakfast; thus, the fast food containers
Working on it together set clear boundaries for me, so he is not as stressed that I will get rid of something he values.
My Non-Negotiables (Kind but Firm)
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One shelf or a couple = the Prep Shelf. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay. Or he can select something else to get rid of. I’ve also been busy making sure I cook enough leftovers during our bi-weekly family meals so that my siblings can take some home with strict instructions not to bring the container back!
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Walkways clear to 36″ so nobody trips carrying hot pans. After 3 months, Dad has finally approved some purging…some really old furniture is getting donated, rooms rearranged so we have more seating when everyone is here and more storage where we need it.
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Countertops: two clear landing zones-by the stove and sink. This is crucial as I have to prep at least 4 meals a day between my mom’s food and then my dad and my meals.
The Big Three Offenders & What I Kept
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Takeout containers: Keep 8 with matching lids in a single bin. All lidless/mismatched = out.
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Plastic jugs: Keep 4 in the garage, not on the kitchen counter.
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Yogurt containers: Kept 15 with lids; the rest to recycling.
Quick Money Wins (Why This Matters for Debt)
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No more buying food-storage sets “because I can’t find lids.”
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Pantry visibility = fewer expired duplicates. (Oh don’t get me started on the expired food battle. It literally took all this past year to finally get the pantry to just items that aren’t more than a year past expiration.) And now we are in a “don’t buy any meat” phase so I can cook through his 3 freezers full. This week I cooked skirt steak that had been in the freezer for over 3 years. Thankfully, he’s always dated things. But we are getting close to being at the end of the really old meat.
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Fewer pests = fewer “surprise” finds hiding in dark corners of places that hadn’t been touched in years. My mom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 8 years ago and has been bed ridden for 3 years now so it’s really been my dad alone for a long time.
30-Minute Blitz
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Pull just the containers. Match lids. Keep 8, recycle the rest.
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Designate where these items live. He can find them and I have an easy place to put them
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Create a weekly meal plan to make use of the stockpile of food specifically in the freezers. Yesterday we ate some frozen meals that expired 4 years ago. We are definitely testing the boundaries of expiration dates. So far, no food poisoning. And yes, I do consider that before trying things or just throwing them out.
Sentimental Safety Check
If a certain item triggers nostalgia, I snap a photo and write the story on the back of a recipe card. We keep the memory, not the mold. And before I get rid of anything I check with Dad, my siblings, and sometimes my kid so I am not relying solely on my perception of experience. This week I’m donating one of a matching set of chairs, a sheet set, and a variety of knick knacks that we believe mom picked up from thrift stores in her latter years of functionality and none of us have any memories of.
It’s a slow process from we are finding a lot. And dad is feeling seen and heard and supported.
What’s your family’s “JIC” (just-in-case) item in the kitchen-and how many do you really use in a week?
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